Usefulness of COI gene based molecular method for identification of field collected maggots, Puducherry, South India

Abstract

Flies and maggots are of medical importance, and it is often necessary to identify them at species level. Conventionally, this is carried out based on morphological features using taxonomic keys. However, identification of maggots based on morphology is difficult and required entomological expertise is often lacking in many clinical settings. Molecular methods can be an alternative to morphology based identification. We explored the utility of mitochondrial COI gene based molecular method, as a tool for identifying field collected maggots in Puducherry, India. Maggots were collected from different locations in Puducherry using rotten fish and kitchen waste as baits and a segment of the COI gene was amplified and phylogenetic analysis was performed. The identified maggots belonged to Sarcophaga peregrina, Hemipyrellia ligurriensand Chrysomya megacephala. We highlight the usefulness of molecular methods in precise identification of maggots in certain settings is highlighted.